When we first launched Loop, we ditched the traditional folder structure for learning content in favor of tags. Initially, we thought this would be a frustration-free, efficient way for our users to organize their courses and content.
Later on, we began to notice our customers struggled with how to create a folder structure using tags. They did the exact opposite of what we thought would simplify their organization efforts and started using tags to function like folders. That feedback from our user-base played a crucial part in bettering Loop LXP We listened and made the necessary changes to bring back folders.
So let’s talk about information architecture and how to create a folder structure that works for your learning content so that every Loop user can get the most out of their experience.
What’s information architecture?
Folders, categories, and tags are features of learning platforms that help users organize, categorize, and sort content. And all of this falls under a broader term called information architecture. Information architecture is when you intentionally structure your content and information in a way that users can easily understand and act on.
Information architecture isn’t just important—it’s critical for users to be able to find relevant content and access it. As it turns out, folder structure is one way to implement information architecture for a better, more powerful learning experience.
A unique folder structure for maximum efficiency
Before we brought back folders, Loop relied on tags to narrow down content for users. While this worked in one sense, we realized that this particular functionality wasn’t the most productive for many customers, and that the traditional method of organizing through folder structure was widely preferred.
With traditional folder structure, one drawback is that content can live in multiple places and can be hard to locate if users don’t know exactly what to look for. To address this, our team worked hard on a solution, and the result is a truly unique system: content managed from one central location that’s universally updated across the platform. This means admins have the ability to organize learning content as needed in one place, without worrying about having to update duplicate content in multiple locations, or users missing out on viewing the right content.
Now that you’ve been introduced to the new system, let’s talk about how to create a folder structure in Loop.
How to create a folder structure in Loop
1. Prioritize how learners think about their content
Before you begin the process of structuring your learning, you should ask yourself: Do we actually understand how our learners intuitively think and use the platform? Part of that process could look like gathering feedback from your learners, similarly to how you might gather customer feedback. There are so many ways to do this,—including surveys, focus groups, or interviews.
Once you’ve spent time understanding how your learners view and access courses and content, you have the understanding needed to start a folder structure blueprint. The best part? When you start with your user, you’re a lot less likely to have to rework the system later because you spent time understanding what works best for them.
2. Use tags for additional searchability
While folder structure provides an important/strong foundation for users, remember that tags can always supplement that. Loop has a global search feature that learners can search for content using tags to find the exact piece of content they’re looking for.
Many users will gravitate to the content purposefully organized in a folder, especially if its location is clearly and widely communicated as such, but you extend the reach of any given content piece or media when you add additional search functionality through tags.
3. Provide training on learning structure to users
Once you’ve organized your catalog of courses in Loop LXP, remember to train your team before throwing them into the deep end. A simple instructional video could work well for onboarding them to the system, or if you have time to do a live meeting over Zoom, a quick 30 minutes should do the trick.
Get organized and launch your learners
We hope this overview of how to create a folder structure in Loop gives you all the motivation to organize your learning content for a more holistic user experience. And finally, you have our ear, and we’re always open to feedback as we work hard to create the ideal learning platform for you and your team.
